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Najib complains bodyguards revoked; Umno man cries HSR 'mistake'

KINI ROUNDUP | Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday, in brief.

Najib complains aides revoked

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak claimed the new government had withdrawn his bodyguards and aides.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Najib's security detail was trimmed to match Najib's new status as a former prime minister.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad went further to say that Najib was not like the past former prime ministers and will only be treated as one if he is cleared in the investigations against him.

Police took the statement of Nooryana Najwa, the daughter of Najib, after she complained that police seized her personal items during a raid on three units at Pavilion Residences, which yielded 284 boxes of luxury handbags and 72 bags of jewellery and cash, amounting to RM120 million in various currencies.

On a separate matter, Fuzi said the fake news probe against Mahathir initiated before the general election will likely be dropped.

Umno man cries HSR 'mistake'

Umno's Abdul Rahman Dahlan claimed Mahathir took a simplistic position when he announced the termination of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project, stressing that the cost could be covered by its multiplier effect.

Mahathir asked Rahman Dahlan to show proof that the termination of the HSR project would cost the country up to RM200 billion in potential gains.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the HSR project was not a current priority and that the East Coast Rail Link project will also be reviewed due to it being a "strange agreement'.

Mahathir acknowledged that the country had to tread carefully as the new government reviews several projects in which China has an interest in.

On US President Donald Trump, Mahathir did not show interest in reaching out to him like his predecessor Najib did, stating that it was hard to work with someone who "changes his mind overnight".

Mahathir also believes that the decision of Malaysian voters to end one-party rule since independence could inspire neighbouring Singapore to do the same.

Reuters reported that India's federal police had initiated an investigation against AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes in relation to an aviation licence in the country.

Mahathir tackles racism

Mahathir said he saw less racism in the new government leadership but lamented that racial feelings still ran deep at the ground level.

A petition against opening up Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to non-bumiputera students garnered more than 100,000 backers.

Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia chief P Waythamoorthy told his brother P Uthayakumar, who is leading another faction dubbed Hindraf 2.0, not to adopt a confrontational method after the latter demanded that UiTM be opened to other races.

Johor opposition leader Hasni Mohammad has mooted for Umno to become a multi-racial party, pointing out that Umno had to lead all Malaysians as its partners MIC and MCA were not able to garner support from their respective communities.

Wan Azizah said the appointment of a Chinese finance minister was a good way to move forward with racial integration.

Other Kinibites

The Kelantan government confirmed that it had barred two Amanah leaders, including Husam Musa, from entering from entering state government offices as well as the state palace.

Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos said he will surrender to the police at the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters (today).

Lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu said Jamal's bail should be revoked, as his disappearance made a mockery of the criminal justice system.

Wan Azizah said the EPF payments for housewives can come from their husband's existing EPF contributions instead of them making additional payments.

She also backed Mahathir's move to take in former Umno members into Harapan, stressing the need for unity to rebuild the country.

Looking ahead

Mahathir will hold a press conference after the cabinet meeting today.

Suhakam will continue with its inquiry into the disappearance of Amri Che Mat.

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